Shipping container



A ril 9, 1935. M. FOSHEE ,9

SHIPPING CONTAINER Filed June 6, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l M. FOSHEE SHIPPING CONTAINER April 9, 1935.

Filed June 6, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M0109 FD/bee Patented Apr. 9, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT orries;

Application June a, 1934, Serial. No. tzazsj c I c eI'olaim (o1. 217*12) This invention relatesto shihpihg containers.

and more particularlyto .wire'or'hand boun shlpplllg crates characterized by the several sec,-

tionsiorming'the bodyportion thereof being ?r yet permanent-1y securedto each other whereby to form a collapsible, enclosing: structure requiring only the operation of opening out prior to assembly therewithof the heads, 131 1 and bottom, as theca'se may be. 1 Among the objects of the present invention may be noted the provision oi aknock-down-or collapsible crate of; improved design; the provisionof aerate of the abovecharacter so constructed that -eitherja flush or bulge type of top or cover; may be utilized therewith; the Provision of a crate which may be fabricated inexpensively and in quantity. by machine methods; the provision of a crate which is light in weight and constructed from light,- thin materials but which is so reinforcedas to provide a structure 7 possessing a high order of strength; durability andwrigidity; the provision of a knock-down or collapsible crate which, when collapsed, takesllp' a minimum amount of space, which may be shipped fiat, and which requires the minimum amount of manipulation to assemble the same while at the same time requiring no expensive equipment in assembly. I

Other objects will be in. part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the accompanying sheet'of drawings illustrating an embodiment of my invention. l V In the drawings v.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of'an assembled crate in accordance with the present invention; the cover or top being shown in an intermediate stage ofassociation therewith;. Q V i Q c Fig. 2 is a viewof the collapsed body portionof the crate illustrated in Fig. 1; 1

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and '6 are transverse vertical sections through a crate showing thevarious steps ofassembly; r a Fig. '7 is a view showing a modified form of cratestructure; and

c Fig. 8 is a detail of a modified cratecover or top. a I i l I Referring to thedrawings of which Figs. 1-6 are illustrative of one form; of "crate in accordance with the present invention, such a-crateis constituted by a body portion generally indicated at H), a bottom H, and acover or; top J 2. The body portion lfl comprises four relatively vertical side sections l3, l4, l5 and I5. spaced Irom each other, with each section permanently and flexibly joined to adjacent sections byupper and lower 7 and, if desired, intermediate encoding wires, bands or equivalent bindingelements such as indicated M11, 18. The ends of each wire I1, iii are permanently connected together or, equivalently, are stapled orjotherwise secured to. a common section. The binding wires l1, 18 are secured ,to the several sections as by stapling. as indicated at 20, whereby to extend tautly, throughout thewidth of each section. T he portions 2| of the wires 11 and l 8;wh ich extend as to permit each section to be iolded over in overlying parallel relation on an adjacent section and'may be slightly in excess thereon By refer? I ence to Fig. 2 ,it will be seen that such slack wire v portions 2| constitute hinges between the sec-.

tioriswhichpeirniitthe enclosing structure formed by the jconnectedjsections to be collapsed as shown in Fig. 2'. 'Itwillfurther appear that the collapsed structure'as shown in Fig.2 requiresonly the single manipulation of opening out and bring- I lng opposed sections into si b'stantial' parallelism as the first step in assemblyofthe set-up crate.

. V y 10, between thefseve'ral sections are of sufficient length 7 c The several sections l3, l4, l5 and IG' may each be constituted by a single or a plurality .of par-1 finally assembled. That is'to say, there is a gap between the adjacent edgesof the respective sec tions, with the binding wire or band It forming theonly connection between the sections; V

Upon opening'out of the enclosing'structure formed by the flexibly connected sections, in such manner that opposed sections are brought into l substantial parallelism, the bottom ll may be in sorted and pressed downwardly until'it engages and rests on the aforesaid bottom cleats 24. The

bottom ll may be 'fabricated'from a plurality'or relatively thin strips-of material held together by suitable longitudinally extending strips, and

its dimensions aresuch' as to snug-1y engage'the between the several sections. The proper-placement of the bottom II as described thus acts to innerfaces of the side sections-andto tension the portions 2| of the lower wire I8 which extend- 6 V locatethe side sections l3, I4; 15 andulli with respect .to each other, and at the same timegives to the resulting structure a high degree or rigid ity and reinforcement so as to overcome any tendency of the crate to collapse. 7

Interior cleats 25 are also arranged to extend transversely along the top edges of the opposed sections l4, IS, with interior cleats26 similarly arranged on opposed or end sections I3, 15. Like the lower cleats, the cleats 25, 26 are secured by staples 25 and extend substantially the width of the sections so that adjacent ends of the cleats do not abut, either whenthe'body portion is collapsed-or when'it is set up for assembly.

According to the present invention, I propose to utilize a flush type of cover or top as indicated at l2, Fig. 1. Such a cover or top is designed to lie flush onthe top of the crate structure and, ac-

cordingly, has no function of defining thetop portions of the several side sections with respect to each other, or of imparting to the upper portion of the enclosing structure any property of rigidity or reinforcement. In order to provide such properties independently of the cover or top,

I provide reinforcing bars '21, 28, preferablyfone for each of the ends of the crate. Such bars are dimensioned as to extend between the interior top cleats. 25 and to fit snugly therebetween whereby to, tension the slack portions 2| 'of the upper encircling wire 'I'I and thus tolocate the mouth or upper portions of the several side sections with respect to each other. Preferably, the reinforcing bars 2 28 are permanently yet'pivctally carriedby the opposed end sections I3,

[ of the' crate body portion, and such may be conveniently. accomplished by nailing each of the bars 21; 28 to the top interior cleat 26 thereof with a single nail 29, whereby such bar's may beturned about the axis of the latter. For added rigidity and reinforcement, the ends of thecleats 25 are undercut as at 30, such under cut portions forming a seat for the ends of the reinforcing bars 2l, 28-as they are swung into position.

By reference to Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, whereini is illustrated the various steps of assembly, it will be seen that the collapsed enclosing structure constituted by the flexibly secured sidesections as indicated in Fig. 2 is first opened out so that the opposed sections are in substantialparallelism. The reinforcing bars may assume the position indicated in Fig. 3. Thereupon the bottom II is inserted throughtheupper mouth of the resulting structure and pressed downwardly to abut against the upper surfaces of the bottom cleats 24. Thereupon the reinforcing bars 2'! and 28 may be manually turned-about axis of nail 29 and forced into the seats formed by undercut portions 30 of opposed upper cleats 25, as indicatedin Fig. 5. By reason of the snug fit of the bottom H and the 'dimensioningof thereinforcing bars 21, 28, the resulting structure is of a rigid'natur'e and is suitably reinforced along its bottom and topedges, with the slack portions 2| of wires l1, l8, drawn tautly and diagonally. between adjacent sections of the body portionj Upon setting the reinforcingbars 21, 28 into their final position, they may be suitably so held as by a nail 3| driven therethrough and extendinginto the top cleat 26 of the end sections. i y

' Upon suitable packing of articles within-the crate structure, the top l2 may be laid thereon and Willengage flush on the top surfaces. of cleats. 25, 26 and reinforcing bars 21,28. If itis desired to pack the crate above the horizontal plane of the mouth of the crate, such'jtype of cover may bulge and thus conform itself to the upper level of the packed articles, as necessary."'-

nal and transverse strips which form the top.

The said loops 32 are of sufficient length as to extend downwardly along the outer surfaces of the side sections and tobe threaded underneath the top binding wire H, as by providing a cut-out portion 33 in the side sections so as to permit the loops to be threaded rearwardly of the binding wire. ,Upon the cover being pressed downwardly into'its' final position, the ends of the loops may be bent upwardly with the loops thus holding the cover l2 to the binding wires IT, as indicated in Fig.6. I

In Fig. 7-1 have illustrated a modification of the above described arrangement. In such modified construction'the opposed end sections are procleat' 26a'arranged exteriorly thereof, the rein-' forcing bar 21a being'thus pivotally secured to one of thvertical strips from which said end section l3ais fabricated; The ends'of the reinforcing bar 2111, engage'in recesses or'seats 30a formed-in the upper cleats 25a of the front and rear side sections, such cleats 25a being arranged interiorly of the sections as indicated in the Fig. 1 construction; According to themodified form'the exterior top cleats 26a. may be-undercut as at 33a to receive the cover loops 32a asindicated. 7

It will be obvious that without material modificatiofiall of the, upper cleats can be disposed exteriorly with the reinforcing bars disposed relatively interiorly of the end sections I3, l5 and engaging against the ends which'project beyond the vertical strips of cleats analogous to cleats 25 but disposed exteriorly rather'than interiorly of the structure; Other provisions for the carrying and the insertion of the reinforcing bars may be utilized within the 'scope of the present invention. One such modification is illustrated in Fig. 8 in which reinforcing bars are carried by'the cover or to [2b. According to this modification, the reinforcing bar 21b is nailed or otherwise secured on the under surface of the cover or top I21), and upon the crate being suitably packed with the articles to beshipped, the cover. may be applied thereto and simultaneously the bar 2117, and also its companion' bar at the other end of the cover, inserted between the longitudinal upper cleats 25, as in Fig. l to perform thesame function of properly spacing and 'locating the opposed sides of the mate and giving rigidity and reinforcement thereto.

Itwill be further evident that the reinforcing bars need not be physically carried by either the body portion of the crate or the cover but may be supplied separately therefrom. According to such further modification, the side sections minus the reinforcing bars as indicated in Fig. 3 may be set ufiand'its bottom inserted and set as indicatedin Fig.4. Thereuponreinforcing bars may be forced downwardly into the seats 30 provided in cleats 25 and, if desired,'thereupon nailed or otherwise secured in place.

desired. For example, the cover lz may be applied tothe enclosing structure provided with exterior cleats, and the crate inverted, andthereupon carefully. packed against the under-surface of the cover through the open ,1 bottom' end.

Thereupon a slip type ofbottom isinsertedinto during fabricationa minimum amountrof labor in the cutting and dimensioning thereof.-- The permanently- 1 joined sections "further require. the minimum amount of manipulation toisetthem up and no expensivemachinery to secure binding wire ends or the like..".The arrangement. is further such asto be'fool-proof, that is to say, the enclosing structure formed by the side sections is opened up in one operation, the bottom is thereupon inserted and automatically sets the bottom portion of the crate to shape and size. The properv adjustment of the reinforcing bars is next effected in a simple and expeditious manner to set the upper portion of the. crate to shape and size. When the crate has been filled, the cover is applied and secured by simple fastening means. In the modified form of applying the reinforcing bars as indicated in Fig. 8, the application of the cover and the fitting of the reinforcing bars is in effect a single operation. The resulting structure, although light in weight and fabricated from thin, light-weight materials, possesses an unusual degree of strength, rigidity; and durability. If desired, the crate when emptied may be collapsed and then stored or returned to the shipper. In any. event, the collapsed crate utilizes a minimum amount of space. 7

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applyingcurrent knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that from the standpoint of the prior art fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

I claim: I

l. A rectangular shipping crate comprising pairs of side sections, means for flexibly and per manently securing each of said side sections to adjacent sections and in spaced relation thereto,

whereby said sections form a collapsible enclosing structure. a bottom unit for insertion in said structure andoperative to locate therelatively lower portions of the sections with respect to each other, reinforcing bars for locating the relatively upper portions ofthe sections'with respect to each other, and a flush topcover for said structure; 2 35A rectangular; shipping crate comprising pairs of side sections, means for fiexiblyandrpermanently securing each of said side. sectionsto ti adjacent sections andpinaspaced relation thereto, whereby said sectionsform' a collapsible enclosing structure, :a bottom :unit "forinsertion insaid structure and operative to locate therelatively lower portions ofcthe sections with respect-to each other, reinforcing bars'each carried by..aside section of a pair and operative between the side sections of another pair for locating the relatively npperportions of said side sections with respect .toeachother.=v r 4. A rectangular shippingcrate including pairs of. side sections, ,means for flexibly and permar nently securingxeachf of said'side sections toan adjacent'section'and in spaced relation thereto whereby; said sections form a, collapsible-strum ture,.a :bottomrunit forinsertion in said struc ture and operative to locate: the relativelylower portions of said side sectionsuriths'respect to each other, a flush type cover, and reinforcing bars carried by said cover and operative between a,

pair of side sections for locating the relatively upper portions of the side sections with respect.

to each other.

5. A rectangular shipping create comprising pairs of side sections including transversely ex lation thereto, whereby said sections form a col-.

lapsible enclosing structure, a bottom unit for insertion in said structure and operative to locate the relatively lower portions-of said sections with respect to each other, and reinforcing bars operative between the cleats of side sections of a pair for locating the relatively upper portions of said side sections with respect to each other.

' 6. A rectangular shipping crate comprising pairs of side sections including transversely extending cleats along the top thereof, means "for flexibly and permanently securing each of said sections to an adjacent'section and in spaced relation thereto, whereby said sections form a collapsible enclosing structure, a bottom ,unit for insertion in said structure and operative to'locate the relatively lower portions of said sections with respect to each other, andreinforcing bars each pivotally carried by the cleats of a pair of sections and operative between the cleats of an-.

other pair of sections for locating the relatively 7 upper portions of said side sections with to each other.

respect 7. A, rectangular shipping crate comprising pairs of side sections, flexible encircling binding means secured to the top and bottom portions of each section and operative to secure adjacent sections together permanently and in spaced relation whereby said sections. form an enclosing structure; said binding means extending between sections, and the length of said meansbetween sections being of the order as to permit adjacent sections to fold on one another in parallel relation, a bottom adapted for insertion inv said structure and operative totension' the portions of the lower binding means extending between sections and to locate the'bott'om portions of said side sections with respect to each other, and reinforcing barsoperative between a pair of side sections to tension'the portions of the top bind ing means extending betweenthe sections and to locate the top portions of the side sections with respect to each other, V v f 8. A rectangular shipping crate comprising pairs of side sections, flexible encircling binding means secured to the top and bottom portions of each section and operative .to secure adjacent sections togetherpermanently and in spaced relation whereby. said sections form an enclosing structure, said binding means extending between sections, and the length of said means between sections being of the order as to'permit adjacent sections to fold on one another in parallel relation, a bottom adapted for insertion in-said structure and operative to tensiontheiportions of the lower binding means extending between sections and to locate thebottom portions of said side'sections with respect to each other, and re-' inforcing bars each carried by a side section of a pair and operative between side sections .of another pair to tension the portions of the top binding means extending between sections and to locate the top portions of the sections with respect toeach other. 7 i

9. A rectangular shipping crate comprising pairs of side sections, ,fiexible encircling binding means secured to the top and bottom portions of eachsection and operative to secure adjacent sections together permanently and in spaced relationwhereby said sections form an enclosing structure, said binding means extending between sections, and the length of said means between sections being of, the order as to permit adjacent sectionsto fold on one another in parallel relation, a bottom adapted for insertion in said structure andoperative to tension the portions of the lower binding means extending between sections and to locate the bottom portions of said side sections withrespect to each other, and

reinforcingrbars each pivoted to a section of a pair and operative between the sections of another. pair to tensionthe portions of the top binding means extending between sections and to locate the upper portions ofthe sections with 20 respect to each other.

7 1 MASON FOSHEE. 

